ran one in my g6r for a year... no problems. I fail to see your logic. My theory on it, was that stupid people were perhaps hooking the board up to charge with the batteries hooked to the power port rather then charge port.

Thanks for the insights Juggs and Godraep. Some really good pics there between you guys. Damn it looks tight on that Axe. I was already going to pick one up to have a run regardless now I'm just getting impatient.

Thanks for the insights Juggs and Godraep. Some really good pics there between you guys. Damn it looks tight on that Axe. I was already going to pick one up to have a run regardless now I'm just getting impatient.

*NB - Please note my correct grammatical use of the word "there".

I thought so too, makes the Axe look crazy stealth mode. If any of you want more pics just let me knoe.

Posted this in the Axe users club first, but it applies here as well. My first impressions of the Spire in comparison to the other high end loaders on the market.

I used the Z2 for half the season and a few weeks ago it went on the fritz, first it was spinning very slowly when it was off, then it wouldnt turn off at all. So I called Empire and they sent a board out to me no questions asked, took 5 days to get to me. Not bad for free shipping and new board.

I broke the z2 down, and up until then I was happy with it. But its just too complicated compared to the Rotor. If you get shot inside the hopper and dont have a backup theres really no efficient way to fully clean it at the field between games in a quick manner. So I switched to rotors, I love how slim the rear end of the rotor is compared to the Z2. I havnt had any issues with my Rotors yet, and Im happy to have made the switch.

Then yesterday, my local field decided they had to post up that they had Spires in stock. (5 total, they sold out within like 3 hours) so, knowing I could have it in my hands in less than a few hours I jumped on it just to see how it worked, and because I love buying new toys for paintball.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the Spire, but before I go further this is based on aesthetics/responsiveness to vibration/quality, not feed capabilities because I have not run paint through the Spire yet. The plastic shell feels a bit thinner than a Rotor, but less flimsy than a z2. I'd say its a very nice, happy medium and Im confident it will hold up to the rigors of play without issue. The shell DOES split in half, so if you wanted you could swap with a buddy, or it leaves room open in the future for high capacity shell tops ala the Rotor and older Prophecies.

Upon removing the tray I found everything to be very tidy and organized, wires tucked away nicely under a shroud of sorts on the bottom. The Rotor does a good job with this as well, where as the Z2 seems to be lacking in that department with wires protruding out of the side beneath its tray.

The Velcro on that hold the batteries in place looks to be of very high quality, and is even branded with the Virtue V, a very nice touch I think. This ones again is in contrast to the Rotor which has what I feel to be lower quality Velcro holding the batteries in. Mine is frayed, and the adhesive has come undone, seperating the top and bottom half of the Velcro. It doesnt really affect anything, its just annoying when trying to secure the batteries. The Prophecy Z2s battery area is once again pretty sloppy in comparison to both, nothing secures it but the tray above it. While that does an okay job, when you remove the tray if you arnt careful the batteries easily fall off to the side. I just always feel like at some point when I take my Z2 apart and the batteries drop theres a chance one of the wires may fray, or solder points might snap under the weight of the 4AA batteries.

I have a 5man tomorrow so I'll be putting 5+ cases through it, then Ill be able to comment on its performance in game, as I said thus far this is just a first impression review in comparison to the other popular high end loaders.

Posted this in the Axe users club first, but it applies here as well. My first impressions of the Spire in comparison to the other high end loaders on the market.

I used the Z2 for half the season and a few weeks ago it went on the fritz, first it was spinning very slowly when it was off, then it wouldnt turn off at all. So I called Empire and they sent a board out to me no questions asked, took 5 days to get to me. Not bad for free shipping and new board.

I broke the z2 down, and up until then I was happy with it. But its just too complicated compared to the Rotor. If you get shot inside the hopper and dont have a backup theres really no efficient way to fully clean it at the field between games in a quick manner. So I switched to rotors, I love how slim the rear end of the rotor is compared to the Z2. I havnt had any issues with my Rotors yet, and Im happy to have made the switch.

Then yesterday, my local field decided they had to post up that they had Spires in stock. (5 total, they sold out within like 3 hours) so, knowing I could have it in my hands in less than a few hours I jumped on it just to see how it worked, and because I love buying new toys for paintball.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the Spire, but before I go further this is based on aesthetics/responsiveness to vibration/quality, not feed capabilities because I have not run paint through the Spire yet. The plastic shell feels a bit thinner than a Rotor, but less flimsy than a z2. I'd say its a very nice, happy medium and Im confident it will hold up to the rigors of play without issue. The shell DOES split in half, so if you wanted you could swap with a buddy, or it leaves room open in the future for high capacity shell tops ala the Rotor and older Prophecies.

Upon removing the tray I found everything to be very tidy and organized, wires tucked away nicely under a shroud of sorts on the bottom. The Rotor does a good job with this as well, where as the Z2 seems to be lacking in that department with wires protruding out of the side beneath its tray.

The Velcro on that hold the batteries in place looks to be of very high quality, and is even branded with the Virtue V, a very nice touch I think. This ones again is in contrast to the Rotor which has what I feel to be lower quality Velcro holding the batteries in. Mine is frayed, and the adhesive has come undone, seperating the top and bottom half of the Velcro. It doesnt really affect anything, its just annoying when trying to secure the batteries. The Prophecy Z2s battery area is once again pretty sloppy in comparison to both, nothing secures it but the tray above it. While that does an okay job, when you remove the tray if you arnt careful the batteries easily fall off to the side. I just always feel like at some point when I take my Z2 apart and the batteries drop theres a chance one of the wires may fray, or solder points might snap under the weight of the 4AA batteries.

I have a 5man tomorrow so I'll be putting 5+ cases through it, then Ill be able to comment on its performance in game, as I said thus far this is just a first impression review in comparison to the other popular high end loaders.

I own a Z2 as well, and I definitely hear you regarding teardown at the field and the "neatness" of the wiring and battery area.

Once when shooting some seconds paint, it shredded a bunch and literally SATURATED the entire loader with paint (I took it off the gun and paint poured out of the loader's neck). It was so bad I had to send it back to Kee for replacement of some parts and reassembly. This only took a few days and was free of charge (which is awesome), but if I had been shooting a Rotor, I would have been on the field next game. All this being said, my Z2 has worked great when no paint breaks inside it. It feeds great, the profile is low and tight and it's just a good looking loader. The disassembly aspect is it's only weak point IMO.

I've been looking at Rotors for a while now as an alternative to my Z2, but have been very wary of their jamming issues. My Z2 literally NEVER jams at all. I love how simple the Rotor is, but in order to get it not to jam you need the softcycle arm or a Seed kit, one of which only helps incrementally, and the other has been discontinued. For such an expensive loader, I don't want to have to spend another $30-40 to get it to do its job.

I'm taking a serious look at the Spire right now while it's fresh. Barring any problems or bugs, I will probably pick one up.

I own a Z2 as well, and I definitely hear you regarding teardown at the field and the "neatness" of the wiring and battery area.

Once when shooting some seconds paint, it shredded a bunch and literally SATURATED the entire loader with paint (I took it off the gun and paint poured out of the loader's neck). It was so bad I had to send it back to Kee for replacement of some parts and reassembly. This only took a few days and was free of charge (which is awesome), but if I had been shooting a Rotor, I would have been on the field next game. All this being said, my Z2 has worked great when no paint breaks inside it. It feeds great, the profile is low and tight and it's just a good looking loader. The disassembly aspect is it's only weak point IMO.

I've been looking at Rotors for a while now as an alternative to my Z2, but have been very wary of their jamming issues. My Z2 literally NEVER jams at all. I love how simple the Rotor is, but in order to get it not to jam you need the softcycle arm or a Seed kit, one of which only helps incrementally, and the other has been discontinued. For such an expensive loader, I don't want to have to spend another $30-40 to get it to do its job.

I'm taking a serious look at the Spire right now while it's fresh. Barring any problems or bugs, I will probably pick one up.

my thoughts exactly, i was lucky to pickup a seed kit when i did.
I plan on getting a spire loader sometime soon.